Roots for Community Wellbeing provides the necessary information and support to all other programs under Approaches to Community Wellbeing, at both the regional and community level. This is to ensure the services provided are effective, sustainable, ethical, and culturally appropriate. The bulk of the work associated with Roots for Community Wellbeing is currently done at the regional level, but the information gained will be provided back for use at the community level.
Data Collection and Analysis
Health surveillance is the ongoing collection, analysis, and dissemination of health information that helps in public health planning, implementation, and decision making. By establishing a system for the Sioux Lookout area First Nation communities, health indicators will be tracked over time to create health status reports for each community and the region. Health indicators specific to SLFNHA communities will be developed through community consultations. In addition, reportable diseases and other health conditions will be monitored to identify priority areas for programming.
Program Planning & Evaluation
Program Planning and Evaluation helps support the development of new programs and services as well as evaluate and adjust existing programs for ongoing improvement. This support can occur at both the regional and the community level.
Implementation of Approaches to Community Wellbeing will be a complex process. Each community is unique and will require different frameworks and types of support in framework development. Communication, partnerships and ongoing support in planning and implementation will be integral to the program’s success.
Research
Through resolution 12-08 SLFNHA Health Research Unit Development, SLFNHA was mandated to establish a community directed research unit to conduct research based on community health priorities. The direction comes in order to provide SLFNHA with sufficient health data and evidence to support and advocate for the delivery of appropriate, adequate and proactive health care at the community level. At the same time Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) was working to create a research program. As such, the two partnered to create the Anishinaabe Bimaadiziwin Research Program that works to advance community-based research projects and regional capacity development in Sioux Lookout and the surrounding First Nations. The Anishinaabe Bimaadiziwin Research Program endeavors to respect and incorporate the principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP®).
Approaches to Community Wellbeing will not replicate existing efforts, but will rather assist in strengthening the Anishinaabe Bimaadiziwin Research Program and encourage research related to public health priorities in the communities.
Ethics
This component ensures that program areas are following existing ethical practices, and developing ethical practices and frameworks that align with the values of Approaches to Community Wellbeing to support staff in their work. This framework will be developed with input from Elders, youth, and First Nations leaders.
Policy
Many of the health issues affecting Sioux Lookout area First Nations communities are related to social issues such as unemployment, lack of educational opportunities, food insecurity, unsafe water, and inadequate housing. These need to be addressed through changes in public policy. Approaches to Community Wellbeing can support community leadership to add health arguments to their advocacy for policy change. Not all health policies, however, have to tackle such large issues. This area of the model could also support community level policies or teachings, such as around the use of life jackets while boating (Safe Communities) or the pricing of healthy food options at community-run stores (Healthy Living). SLFNHA’s Approaches to Community Wellbeing can support communities in these initiatives if they request it.
Capacity Building
Staff must be well trained and supported in order for Approaches to Community Wellbeing to be effective. This area of the model will work on building a Community Wellbeing workforce through community level trainings, mentorship programs, and providing supports to staff. As often as possible, trainings will be conducted at the community level and train-the-trainer methods will be used so the information can be passed on to others. Furthermore, it can expand to look at building the capacity of the community as a whole. This program will work with other Community Wellbeing program areas on capacity building related to their specific program content as well.
Communications
This component aims to contribute to improving communications between the communities, Tribal Councils, SLFNHA, and funding stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) and the First Nations Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB).
Communications can also facilitate the building of partnerships between other stakeholders involved in community wellbeing, such as education and social services. This component will also facilitate the communication and sharing of best practices between communities, so communities can learn from each other. It will devote time to improving communications between primary care and community wellbeing to ensure that they are not working in silos, but are able to work together for the betterment of communities. Finally, this component will work with other program areas to create health promotion messaging for communities.
